The Amazon Heart Expedition will be an epic journey by foot, and cycle through the spectacular New Zealand South Island back country.

Day One – Arrival

Arrive into Christchurch, meet & greet, transfer to accommodation.

Day 2 – Warm Up Hike and Orientation

In the morning we will do a 2-3 hour hike on the summit walkway overlooking Christchurch.  The track is well formed and weaves along the spine of the old volcanic core with views into the harbour of Lyttleton and across the Canterbury Plains.  After lunch we drive south for 2 hours to our lodge at Rangitata, near the Lord of the Rings location for Edoras in the Kingdom of Rohan, where we spend the afternoon relaxing and catching up.   In the early evening a full briefing will be undertaken followed by a welcome meal.

Day 3 – 16km hike, 520m height gain

From the accommodation we drive some 30- 40kms along the Rangitata Valley on the backcountry roads through to Mesopotamia where we meet with some of the high country family over morning tea.  Following this we finalise the packing and adjust rucsacs to start the first hike to a backcountry hut around which we will camp for the first night of the trek.  The hiking starts the following a 4WD track inland as it slowly gains height before descending into the bush and the final destination.  

Day 4 – 15 km hike, 400m height gain, 260m descent

In the morning we break camp and pack the loads which will be transported by helicopter for us over the next three days.  The track climbs to Bullock Bow saddle and then accesses into the upper Bush Stream basin.  At the saddle we have the option to leave our day packs and climb to a nearby peak to provide views across to the Southern Alps.  Back on the saddle we follow the old pack track down into the stream bed and then follow this up stream to the site of the historic Royal Hut where we camp for the evening. The basin interior is covered in snow tussock which has been grazed by free ranging stock with surrounding peaks rising to 2000 meters.

Day 5 – 13km hike, 655m height gain, 692m descent

From the valley we head into the nearby stream draining from underneath the summit of Mt Hope at 2015m.  Following the stream bed we climb steadily into the tussock covered upper basins and finally reach the broad summit ridge with its awesome views down into Lake Tekapo and across to Mount Cook and the Southern Alps. We follow this ridgeline down the spur and finally reach the private Rex Simpson Hut around which we are camped. This day contains the greatest climb and the effort is rewarded with spectacular views.

Day 6 – 14km hike, 500m descent

After a late breakfast we again break camp and join the station 4WD track which follows the glacial bench above the Godley River. Eventually we reach the descent track and once on the rolling tussock flats we finally reach our vehicles and a short drive into the nearby Lake Tekapo village for a final celebratory dinner.  

Day 7 – 43km bike ride

After breakfast we cycle the relatively flat ride over Burkes Pass and down to Farlie from where we coach back to Christchurch and will reach the city by mid afternoon.